Solar Trees

Welsh designer Ross Lovegrove (‘Captain Organic’) placed several glowing Solar Trees in the streets of Vienna (October 2007). These solar powered streetlights could save cities energy. Unlike regular streetlights, they do not require costly underground wiring to install, they are immune to blackouts.The lights have 10 solar panels arrayed at the top of tree-like branches, which charge built-in batteries.The batteries then power LEDs for illumination. Compared to conventional streetlights, they emit much less light pollution, because LEDs generate a very directed light.The trees also incorporate light detectors, so the lights automatically turn on sunset and off at sunrise.See also: mak.at/ | TedTalkRelated posts: Windmill Trees | Cellphone Treemasts